Jr Cruisers Complete Back-to-Back Championship Run With Shutout Victory
- Skip Smith
- 24 minutes ago
- 4 min read
The Eatonville Youth Football Senior JV team proved once again why it stands atop the Thurston County Youth Football League, dominating the Black Hills Wolves 24–0 in the 2025 championship game to secure back-to-back league titles on Sunday afternoon.
Behind a ferocious defense, explosive special teams, and a determined offense led by quarterback Maddox Chopic, the Cruisers completed their championship run in decisive fashion, capping an undefeated season in which they outscored their opponents 208–19.
The game began as a defensive battle, with both teams trading punts through the first quarter. Eatonville’s opening possession was marred by two bad snaps, pushing them deep into their own territory, and forcing a punt that gave Black Hills favorable field position at the Eatonville 30-yard line. But the Cruiser defense held strong, forcing another Wolves punt to end the first quarter deadlocked at 0–0.
Starting deep in their own territory at the 9-yard line, the Cruisers methodically marched down the field on a long, punishing drive that chewed up most of the second quarter clock. The effort was capped when Chopic powered his way across the goal line on a quarterback sneak for the game’s first score. Kale Noble added the conversion run to make it 7–0 with 1:45 left in the half.
Black Hills managed to push into Eatonville territory just before halftime, but a fumbled snap was recovered by Christopher Burlew to preserve the 7–0 lead at the break.
Eatonville’s momentum carried straight into the second half. Noble fielded the opening kickoff and sprinted 80 yards for a touchdown, electrifying the Cruiser sideline. Colby Rath added the conversion run to extend the lead to 14–0 early in the third quarter.
The Eatonville defense then went into full lockdown mode. Lucas Bernt intercepted a tipped pass to halt one Wolves drive, and a few minutes later, Rath snagged another interception at the Cruiser 34-yard line to snuff out another threat.
By the end of the third quarter, Eatonville had moved deep into Black Hills territory once again, setting up the final surge in the fourth.
After a series of penalties pushed the Cruisers back near midfield, Chopic connected with Bernt on a big passing play to move the chains down to the 12-yard line. On a later fourth down, TJ Kralik broke free for what appeared to be a touchdown but fumbled just short of the goal line. Burlew was there again, falling on the ball at the 1-yard line. Chopic finished the job on the next play with another quarterback sneak. Tommy Zurfluh booted through the two-point kick to make it 22–0 with 4:04 left to play.
Moments later, Eatonville’s special teams struck again when Black Hills fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Burlew recovered at the Wolves’ 28-yard line. Although Eatonville later fumbled near the goal line, the defense closed the door for good when Drake Hefley and Tennyson Beckord sacked the Wolves quarterback in the end zone for a safety, sealing the 24–0 championship victory.
As the final seconds ticked away, the Cruiser sideline erupted in celebration, capping a dominant season with yet another shutout and a second straight title.
After the win, Head Coach Jake Chopic reflected on both the adversity his team faced and the heart that carried them through.
“We started out a little rocky in the first quarter with some bad snaps,” Chopic said. “Our team could have let that set the tone for the rest of the game, but they used it and kept pushing, kept playing harder. Our defense is intense. They dominate the field with their strength and strategy. They find a way to make big plays and never give up. Our offense kept their composure and their effort was 110%. They made mistakes and they recovered every time. This team has so much drive and heart. They truly love the game.”
Chopic also credited his assistant coaches — Daryl Osborn, Will Bredeson, Jared Mohler, Caleb Bernt, Cody Burlew, and Ally Chopic — for their leadership, dedication, and teamwork throughout a challenging season.
“We went into this season with only three returning coaches and three new coaches,” he said. “The week of our first game I was hospitalized and was out for three weeks. These coaches who had never been head coaches — and some who had never coached football at all — stepped in and led this team through their first few victories. They ran practices, coached games, and did an incredible job ensuring our boys still got to play and were successful doing so.”
Chopic’s fight this season extended beyond the sidelines.
“I was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer, and during treatment with chemotherapy it attacked my body severely and put me in the ICU for 15 days,” he shared. “But the coaches had my back and were able to handle business.”
For Eatonville, this championship was about more than football — it was a testament to resilience, teamwork, and heart.
With their 24–0 victory over Black Hills, the Eatonville Cruisers closed the book on another remarkable season — one defined by adversity, unity, and championship grit.
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